Page 149 - Social Studies 5

Balbhadra Kunwar

Balbhadra Kunwar was a brave warrior of Nepal like

Bhakti Thapa and Amar Singh Thapa.

During the Anglo-Nepal war, Balbhadra Kunwar
was in charge of Khalanga Fort. It was also called
Nalapani. He had about 600 troops including

women, children and aged people. The British
General, Gillespie, had sent a letter to Balbhadra
asking him to surrender. In reply he tore the letter
and said “I shall meet your general in the battlefield”.

The very next day English troops fired cannon balls at the Fort. In reply
the Nepalese troops counter attacked the bullets with arrows and rocks.
Many British troops including two commanders Ellis and Gillespie were
killed in the battlefield. The English troops could not face the Nepalese

attack and they returned to Dheradun.

The British troops attacked the fort for the second time with full
preparations. They stopped the water supply to the fort and kept it
surrounded. Due to lack of food and water, women and children died

one after another. Balbhadra had no alternative. He came out with the
remaining troops and moved to Jeetgarh. He did not surrender.

The British were very impressed with the bravery of Baldhadra. In his

memory they erected a stone monument in the battlefield of Nalapani
with an inscription as follows : “This is inscribed as a tribute of respect
for our adversary, Bulbudder, Commander of the Fort, and his brave
Gurkhas”.

Megha's Integrated Social Studies - 5 145